Adjustable sprinkler

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an adjustable sprinkler unit which is adapted to have its distributing means in the form of spacedapart rotary heads angular adjustable such that the area of coverage by the unit may be selected as to both elevation and area. In addition extension means operatively associated with the distributing means permits the rotary heads to be horizontally extended relative to each other to further regulate the area of coverage by the sprinkler unit.

United States Patent 2,895,682 7/1959 Tavone 239/281 2,991,942 7/1961 Rosenkranz.. 239/251X 3,104,822 9/1963 Muschett 239/165X 3,373,936 3/1968 Purtell 239/177X Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant ExaminerMichael T. Mar Attorney-Leonard W. Suroff ABSTRACT: The invention relates to an adjustable sprinkler unit which is adapted to have its distributing means in the form of spaced-apart rotary heads angular adjustable such that the area of coverage by the unit may be selected as to both elevation and area. In addition extension means operatively associated with the distributing means permits the rotary heads to be horizontally extended relative to each other to further regulate the area of coverage by the sprinkler unit.

PATENTED JAN 519m SHEET 1 [IF 2 ATTORNEY PATENTEU JAN 5:911

SHEET 2 0F 2 INVEN'I'OR. THOMAS F. FEENEY ATTORNEY This invention relates to sprinklers of the type used for lawns, plants, trees and the like, and in particular a sprinkler unit having individually adjustable rotary heads.

Sprinkler units having rotary elements are generally designed to water an area of symmetrical shape such that for certain portions of the property, including the lawn, plants and trees, that may be in a corner of the property, or adjacent a building, they either receive more or less than required due to the inflexible nature of presently available sprinkler units. Thus, while in a given position substantially equal distribution of the water is obtained in present rotary head units. Applicant has found that by using two or more rotary heads on a single sprinkler unit, that are adjustable as to the spacing between them and the angular position of each'head than it is possible to selectively vary the coverage desired as to both area and elevation.

OBJECTS OF THE INYENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention in order to carry out the abovedescribed objects is designed and adapted to be a versatile adjustment such that an asymmetrical area covered may be selected for watering since the sprinkler unit is adjustable as to vertical height or elevation and area, such that essentially a total volumetric area maybe controlled. To accomplish the above objects the sprinkler unit includes supporting means that are adapted to engage the ground or a movable carriage means such that it may be actually positioned at various locations desired by the user. The supporting means has passage means contained therein and communicating with the exterior thereof by fluid supply means adapted to be coupled to a hose in a conventional manner such that the amount of fluid entering therein may be controlled as is normally the case. The supporting means may have various shapes and configurations, and is illustrated in the form of a helicopter which is symmetrical at each end which is one form of construction, such that the distributing means at each end thereof is rotatably mounted to cover a select area. The distributing means is operatively connected to extension means associated with the supporting means and comprising a pair of extension members secured to and extending from the supporting means, each extension member being independently extensible horizontally relative thereto, such that the amount of area of coverage may be controlled. Extending between the distributing means and extension means are pivot means such that the rotatably mounted sprinkler head of the distributing means may be angularly controlled or tilted such that the height or angle of direction of the fluid flow is easily controlled by the user. Although two heads are shown it is appreciated that the invention can be'used with one or more depending upon the construction desired. Such that no leakage of the fluid occurs sealing means is provided between the extension means and distributing means such that a liquid tight seal is obtained. To control the amount of horizontal extension, stopping means operatively associated with the extension member is provided such that it is not removed from itscooperating relationship with the supporting means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself. and

thereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts 1 throughout the several views and in which:'

FIG. I, is a top view of the sprinkler unit of the present invention;

,FIG. 2, is a side view partially in section taken along the lines 2-2 ofFIG. 1; v I

FIG. 3, is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4, is an enlarged sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5, is a side view showing the sprinkler unit mounted on a movable support in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, we have the sprinkler unit generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and seen to briefly include supporting means 12 adapted to engage the ground and having operative- 1y associated therewith distributing means 15 through which the fluid will pass such that it may be used to cover specific asymmetrical areas and in which the'distributing means 15 are longitudinally extendable by extension means 16 to providea first degree of adjustment such that the distance therebetween may be selected, with sealing means l8'extending between the extension means 16 and supporting means 12 for retaining a fluid tight's'eal. To regulate the extent of the longitudinal adjustment stopping means 20 is provided in operative association with the supporting means 12 and extension means 16. To

provide a second degree of adjustment it is seen from the phantom lines in FIG. 2, the pivot means 24 permits angular adjustment of the distributing means 15 is such that the desired pattern of coverage might bieobtained. Fluid supply means 22 is connected to the supporting means 12 which contains passage means 25 in communicating relationship between the supporting means 12 and the distributing means Having thus briefly described the invention it can be seen that in detail the sprinkler unit '10 consists of supporting means 12 which includes a hollow supporting housing 26, which may be shaped as a helicopteror other configuration, having a base 28 with a plurality of legs 30 angularly disposed thereto, three being shown, each threadably engaged with the baseportion 28 so that it may be removable therefrom when the unit 10 is not in use. The housing 26 may be contoured in the shape of a helicopter having port holes or windows 32 on opposite sides thereof with clear front'portions 34, which each half of the helicopter being symmetrical to the other half thereof. The housing 26' is substantially hollow and includes a chamber 35 into which the fluid will firstenter and defined by a tubular-coupling member 36 supported on opposite sides of i The fluid is introduced into the chamber35 by fluid supply 5 means 22 having an exterior threaded portion 44 for coupling to a water hose and a tubular body portion 46 as seen particularly in FIG. 4, extending through the wall of the housing 26 and threadably engaged with the coupling member 36 such the extension means 16 and through related passages to the distributing means 15.

The extension means 16 is operatively associated with the supporting means 12 and includes a pair of tubular extension members 50 each having a flow passage 51, and telescopically associated with, so it is carried by a support member 42 and extending through an aperture 52 in the front portion 34 of the housing 26. The extension member 50 is in sliding adjustable relationship to the support member 42 such that it may be longitudinally adjusted from the position shown in FIG. 2, to. its phantom position by movement away from the housing means 26. The extension means 16 by being independently extensible longitudinally relative thereto permits the spacing between the respective distributing means to be selected by the user. The extension means 16 has operatively connected to the extension member 50 an extension head 54 having a bushing 56 at one end thereof, coupling the extension member 50 to the extension head 54 by a threaded or other joint, with a fluid passage 58 therein in communicating relationship to the fluid flow passage of the extension member 50.

The extension head 54 has a lower end portion 60 having an aperture therein which is adapted to receive a shaft 62 which is associated with the stopping means such that the longitudinal extent of adjustment of the extension means 16 between its extended and retracted position may be controlled. A support arm 64, as seen in FIG. 3, extends from the support member 42 and includes a housing collar 65 having a depending support bracket 66 with a transverse aperture extending therethrough adapted to receive the shaft member 62 therethrough with a sliding fit. The housing collar 65 may be fixedly secured to the support member 42, and at its end exterior of the housing 26 may be fixedly secured by means ofa fastener 68 to the stopping means rod or shaft 62, when it is desired to retain the extension means 16 in a fixed position. A pair of stopping or limit collars 70 are fixedly secured as by screws to the shaft 62 on opposite sidesof the support bracket 66 such that when it is longitudinally extended to the phantom extended position the rear limit collar 70 limits the travel of the extension means 16 to its extended position and the other collar 70 limits it in its retracted position as seen in solid lines. The additional advantage is the ability due to the firm fit between the housing collar 64 and the support member 42 to prevent angular rotation therebetween.

Sealing means 18 is provided between the supporting means 12 and extension means 16 and may consist of a compressible bushing or o-ring 72 situated at one end of the support member 42 in surrounding relationship to the extension member 50, the bushing 72 may be made ofa rubber or plastic material permitting the sliding engagement therebetween and the sealing to take place. A compressible bushing 72 extends between each companion extension member 50 and support member 42.

The distributing means 15 is operatively associated with each of the extension members 50 and rotatably mounted such that the velocity of the liquid coming therethrough is enough to propel same in the direction of arrow 78. The distributing means 15 includes a pair of rotary heads 80, each including one or more tubular arms 82 terminating in a nozzle portion 84 at one end thereof and secured at its opposite end in a valve casing 85 which is in communicating relationship by a vertically extending head passageway 86 to the spherical joint 76 at its opposite end. The head 80 includes a downwardly extending tubular portion 88 extending from the valve casing 85 and having a sealing member 89 surrounding it with a cap or nut 90 engaging an extension member 92 adapted to be positioned in the rear seat 93 of the spherical portion 76 such that a liquid tight seal therebetween is maintained.

By the respective arrangements discussed above the passage means permits fluid entering the chamber to be transmitted to the outlet passage contained in the respective tubular bent arms 82 and out through the nozzles 84, such that the fluid force effects a rotary motion of the head 80 so that rotation is obtained. It is appreciated that the various components of the sprinkler unit 10 can be made-outof metal or-plastic.

The pivot means 24 is operatively associated with and located at the juncture between the distributing means 15 and extension means 16 and is adapted topermit angularadjush ment and positionment independently of each rotary head 80.

This is accomplished by tighteningv of the..nu t}76 in they requisite position such that the heads8 0 maybe individually adjusted to a desired position wherebythe angular amount of coverage may be regulated as required This permits the actual pattern as to both square area and elevation to be selected by the user such that in a sense a total volume of coverage is obtainable as required. The upper portion of the extension head 54 has an opening communicatingwith the fluid passage, with a seat 74 therein adapted to receive a spherical or other,- wise-shaped pivot member 75 associated with the distributing means 15 suchthat the latter may be angularly adjusted as required. A threaded clamp 76 encompasses the spherical member 75and is threadably engaged with the extension head FIG. 5, illustrates another aspect ofthe invention in which a carriage means 95 is provided such that the unit 10 may be transported from area to area with ease and the same may include a horizontally extending platform 96 and a vertically extending handle 97 with wheels 98 securedthereto in anyconventional manner such that the legs '30 of the supporting means 12 may be either placed on a base 99, or the platform has predisposed angular counterbores adapted to receivefthe legs 30 of the supporting means 12 therein.- This permits the user to move same to any desired position'and the supply hose (not shown) can be left in securement'to the fluid supply 1 means 22 at all times.

extension members secured to and extendingfrom said supporting means and being independently extensible relative thereto from an extended to retracted position;

C. sealing means extending betweeneach said extension member and said supporting means;

D. distributing means operatively associated with each of said extension members and rotatably mounted, with respect thereto, wherein the horizontal spacing between the distributing means associated with each said extension member is independently adjustable between said extended and retracted position; and

E. pivot means operatively associated with said extension and said distributing means so as to permit the position ment independently of the distributing means associated with each said extension member.

2. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 1, and further. including fluid supply means connected to said supporting means.

3. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 2, and furthe including fluid passage means in communicating relationship: between said fluid supply means and said distributing means.

4. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 1, andfurther including means for retaining said extension means in-its respective adjusted position relative to said supporting means.

5. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim I; y

A. wherein said supporting means includes tubular support members adapted to each receive an extension member in telescopic associationthereto; and 1 B. said sealing means includes a sealing member in spaced relation between said companion' extension member and supporting member to form a fluid tight seal therebetween.

6. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes a base portion with a plurality of legs removably secured thereto and extending therefrom for supporting said sprinkler.

7. An adjustable sprinkler comprising:

A. supporting means; I

B. extension means operatively associated with said supporting means, said extension means comprising a pair of extension members secured to. and extending from said supporting means and being independently extensible relative thereto from an extended to retracted position;

C. sealing means extending between each said extension member and said supporting means;

D. distributing means operatively associated with each of said extension members and rotatably mounted with respect thereto, wherein the horizontal spacing between the distributing means associated with each said extension member is independently adjustable between said extended and retracted position; and

E. carriage means adapted to support said sprinkler in various positions.

8. An adjustable sprinkler comprising:

A. supporting means;

B. extension means operatively associated with said supporting means, said extension means comprising a pair of extension members secured ,to an extending from said supporting means and being independently extensible relative thereto from an extended to retracted position;

C. sealing means extending between each said extension member and said supporting means;

D. distributing means operatively associated with each of said extension members and rotatably mounted with respect thereto, wherein the horizontal spacing between the distributing means associated with each said extension member is independently adjustable between said extended and retracted position;

E. stopping means operatively associated with said extension members to limit the extent of travel of said extension member between its extended and retracted position, said stopping means includes:

F. a support arm secured to and extending exteriorally of said supporting means and having an opening extending therethroughj G. a shaft coupled to said extension means at substantially one end thereof with its free end extending through said opening and movable relative to said support arm; and

H. at least one stopping collar secured to said shaft between said support arm and free end of said shaft, so that the movement of said extension means to its extended position is limited by said stopping collar.

9. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 8, and including another stopping collar secured to said shaft between said support arm and said extension means, so that the movement of said extension means to its retracted position is limited by said stopping collar.

10. An adjustable sprinkler comprising:

A. supporting means including a pair of spaced-apart tubular support members and a base portion with a plurality of legs removably secured thereto and extending therefrom for supporting said sprinkler;

B. extension means operatively associated with said supporting means, said extension means comprising a pair of extension members being carried by the respective support members, each said respective extension member being independently extensible relative to its companion support member from an extended to retracted position;

C. stopping means operatively associated with each said extension members to limit the extent of each said extension member from its retracted to its extended position;

D. distributing means operatively associated with each of said extension members and including at least two heads rotatably mounted with respect thereto; E. fluid supply means connected to said supporting means and communicating with said distributing means; and F. pivot means operatively associated with said extension and said distributing means so as to permit the angular positionment of each of said rotary heads. 11. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 10, wherein said stopping means includes:

A. a support arm secured to an and extending exteriorally of said supporting means and having an opening extending therethrough;

B. a shaft coupled to said extension means at substantially one end thereof with its free end extending through said opening and movable relative to said support arm; and

C. at least one stopping collar secured to said shaft between said support arm and free end of-said shaft, so that the movement of said extension means to its extended position is limited by said stopping collar.

12. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 11, and including another stopping collar secured to said shaft between said support arm and said extension means, so that the movement of said extension means to its retracted position is limited by said stopping collar.

13. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 10, and further including carriage means adapted to support said sprinkler in various positions. 

1. An adjustable sprinkler comprising: A. supporting means; B. extension means operatively associated with said supporting means, said extension means comprising a pair of extension members secured to and extending from said supporting means and being independently extensible relative thereto from an extended to retracted position; C. sealing means extending between each said extension member and said supporting means; D. distributing means operatively associated with each of said extension members and rotatably mounted with respect thereto, wherein the horizontal spacing between the distributing means associated with each said extension member is independently adjustable between said extended and retracted position; and E. pivot means operatively associated with said extension and said distributing means so as to permit the positionment independently of the diStributing means associated with each said extension member.
 2. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 1, and further including fluid supply means connected to said supporting means.
 3. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 2, and further including fluid passage means in communicating relationship between said fluid supply means and said distributing means.
 4. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 1, and further including means for retaining said extension means in its respective adjusted position relative to said supporting means.
 5. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 1; A. wherein said supporting means includes tubular support members adapted to each receive an extension member in telescopic association thereto; and B. said sealing means includes a sealing member in spaced relation between said companion extension member and supporting member to form a fluid tight seal therebetween.
 6. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 1, wherein said supporting means includes a base portion with a plurality of legs removably secured thereto and extending therefrom for supporting said sprinkler.
 7. An adjustable sprinkler comprising: A. supporting means; B. extension means operatively associated with said supporting means, said extension means comprising a pair of extension members secured to and extending from said supporting means and being independently extensible relative thereto from an extended to retracted position; C. sealing means extending between each said extension member and said supporting means; D. distributing means operatively associated with each of said extension members and rotatably mounted with respect thereto, wherein the horizontal spacing between the distributing means associated with each said extension member is independently adjustable between said extended and retracted position; and E. carriage means adapted to support said sprinkler in various positions.
 8. An adjustable sprinkler comprising: A. supporting means; B. extension means operatively associated with said supporting means, said extension means comprising a pair of extension members secured to an extending from said supporting means and being independently extensible relative thereto from an extended to retracted position; C. sealing means extending between each said extension member and said supporting means; D. distributing means operatively associated with each of said extension members and rotatably mounted with respect thereto, wherein the horizontal spacing between the distributing means associated with each said extension member is independently adjustable between said extended and retracted position; E. stopping means operatively associated with said extension members to limit the extent of travel of said extension member between its extended and retracted position, said stopping means includes: F. a support arm secured to and extending exteriorally of said supporting means and having an opening extending therethrough; G. a shaft coupled to said extension means at substantially one end thereof with its free end extending through said opening and movable relative to said support arm; and H. at least one stopping collar secured to said shaft between said support arm and free end of said shaft, so that the movement of said extension means to its extended position is limited by said stopping collar.
 9. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 8, and including another stopping collar secured to said shaft between said support arm and said extension means, so that the movement of said extension means to its retracted position is limited by said stopping collar.
 10. An adjustable sprinkler comprising: A. supporting means including a pair of spaced-apart tubular support members and a base portion with a plurality of legs removably secured thereto and extending therefrom for supporting said sprinkler; B. extension means operatively associated with said supporting means, said extension means comprising a pair of extension members being carried by the respective support members, each said respective extension member being independently extensible relative to its companion support member from an extended to retracted position; C. stopping means operatively associated with each said extension members to limit the extent of each said extension member from its retracted to its extended position; D. distributing means operatively associated with each of said extension members and including at least two heads rotatably mounted with respect thereto; E. fluid supply means connected to said supporting means and communicating with said distributing means; and F. pivot means operatively associated with said extension and said distributing means so as to permit the angular positionment of each of said rotary heads.
 11. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 10, wherein said stopping means includes: A. a support arm secured to an and extending exteriorally of said supporting means and having an opening extending therethrough; B. a shaft coupled to said extension means at substantially one end thereof with its free end extending through said opening and movable relative to said support arm; and C. at least one stopping collar secured to said shaft between said support arm and free end of said shaft, so that the movement of said extension means to its extended position is limited by said stopping collar.
 12. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 11, and including another stopping collar secured to said shaft between said support arm and said extension means, so that the movement of said extension means to its retracted position is limited by said stopping collar.
 13. An adjustable sprinkler as defined in claim 10, and further including carriage means adapted to support said sprinkler in various positions. 